Before adopting an animal

While you may believe that the differences between goats and sheep are obvious - the former have horns, the latter are woolly - this surety falls apart as soon as you come across a particularly hairy goat breed or a male horned sheep. Telling goats and sheep apart, then, is much more complex than that. In...

Many families prefer to adopt cats when they are still kittens. However, once they have it at home, doubts start to arise: Where will it sleep? What to do if the kitten cries? What are the best toys for kittens to play with? What should I call it? It's normal to have doubts. We at AnimalWised want to give...

Have you seen any pictures of strange-looking cats lately on the Internet? They may be Lykoi, Werewolf or Wolf cats, and they're a new American breed. While they look like they must be the result of "designer" breeding, their unique coat pattern is the result of a mutation in domestic shorthair cats. Lykoi...

A pet is not a toy, but that doesn't mean a child can't play with their pet and enjoy their company. If you are considering giving your child a pet, there are different factors you should take into account before choosing the animal in question. The first factor is the child's age and temperament. A...

"Terrier" is the generic name for a type of dog breeds that share a common origin. Over the years, they have developed such diverse physical characteristics that in some cases it is difficult to believe they are related. In general, terrier dogs are small or medium-sized, with a restless and determined...

Are you thinking about adopting a cat? If so, you're probably wondering how to find the best name for your new pet. Your new cat deserves a meaningful, unique name: a great way to find the best option is to choose a name from another language. In this AnimalWised article we have compiled a list of...

If you're thinking about adopting a dog, you're probably making checklists of everything you need to welcome your new pet into your home. Living with a dog is a big responsibility, as you have to care for their health and happiness, but it is truly rewarding. Maybe one of the most fun aspects of preparing...

Rodents used to be frowned upon, but nowadays they are considered excellent pets: there are increasing numbers of people who choose to share their home with these friendly creatures. It is now common to see hamsters, guinea pigs, squirrels, gerbils or mice adopted as pets. It isn't as common to see...

The coati or coati-mundi (Nasua and Nasuella) are four different species in the Procyonidae family, that is, they are closely related to the raccoon. They share several physical and behavioral traits with this animal, but coatis are recognizable for their distinct long nose. These are certainly adorable...

Just because you have a young dog, doesn't mean they don't have an old look about them. Many dogs have whiskers and facial features which give them the look of an old man or old lady, despite only being a few months on the earth. Perhaps they have a beautiful gray coat which gives them an aged look. It...

Choosing if your dog will live inside or outside the house is a decision that will influence your dog's behavior and attitude as an adult. Whether you've decided that your dog will live inside or outside or if you've yet to make up our mind, this article will be very useful to reach a final decision. In order...

Have you ever considered keeping chickens as pets? Some people do - they are peculiar pets, but they are oddly adorable. To keep a chicken as a pet, you must have available outdoors space and a shelter where it can be safe and sleep. You should never keep hens or roosters in a cage, but you also shouldn't...

There are many cat breeds that are native to Asia: in fact, some of the most beautiful and popular cats were first bred there.In general, Asian cat breeds share a number of characteristics that make them different from the cats of the rest of the world. In this AnimalWised article we'll go over 6 Asian...

Obesity is a health problem that can have serious consequences, although it may not seem so. There are certain dog breeds that are prone to obesity: for that reason, if you are considering adopting a dog, it is very important to know if they are at risk of developing weight problems. Other than an...

If you have decided to adopt a hamster as a pet, it is important to be informed about its specific care, feeding, and even how you should prepare its cage. For this reason, here at AnimalWised we'll offer you a simple step by step guide to preparing a hamster's cage. Have you decided that a hamster is the...

Are you thinking about adopting a cat as a pet? Besides covering all their needs - finding them a food bowl and bed, buying toys, planning their diet - you'll surely be wondering how to name them. All cats deserve unique and meaningful names that match their personality and looks, and they should be easy...

Dogs are certainly out best friends; living with a dog will create a deep bond between the two of you, and you'll share a relationship that will bring you many mental and physical benefits. If you have children at home, having a dog will help them learn about commitment, responsibility and caring. In...

There is no doubt that dogs are great pets, loyal and lovable, but of course these are not reasons enough to decide to live with one. Many animals are currently in the situation of having been abandoned by their owners, who realize that the responsibility of caring for a dog exceeds their capabilities or expectations...

In the wild, a silver fox is a red fox with melanism. However, when we talk about the silver fox as a pet, we are actually talking about a variation of the Russian domesticated fox. These foxes are bred and raised in specialized centers with the aim to produce tamer foxes while maintaining the melanistic gene...

Can a dog and cat get on well? Yes, of course, but it depends on lots of different factors. If you want to achieve a peaceful coexistence between the two species you will need to prepare properly for the introduction between the dog and the cat. You will also need to know how they will adapt to the presence...

While it is believed that the first molosser dogs originated in southern Europe, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact place and time of origin of the different mastiff breeds. As we said in this article, all mastiffs are molossers but not all molossers are mastiffs. There are many different mastiff breeds...

Among the most popular pets in India we find, of course, dogs. From the teeming streets of India's most populated cities to its greenest villages, you can notice the wide diversity of dog breeds and types that inhabit the country. After all, there are many different native dog breeds of India! Do you want...

According to the FCI, the German Spitz is a dog breed that includes five variations, namely the Wolfspitz, Mittelspitz, Großspitz, Kleinspitz and Zwergspitz. These five varieties have similar temperaments, characteristic of the German Spitz, but this is where the similarities end. The five varieties of...

When someone is allergic to dogs, it doesn't exactly mean that their body produces an immune response because of the animal itself, but because of particular allergens it produces. The most common allergens are proteins found in their saliva, dandruff and sebaceous glands on their dermis, and consequently...

Did you know that most popular hairless dog breeds come from South America? The famous Peruvian Hairless dog originates from there, and despite their name, it is also suspected to be the birthplace of the Chinese crested dog. Hairless dog breeds are highly regarded by people suffering from allergies. They...

Many people are allergic to dog hair and can't live with a dog that is constantly shedding hair all over the house. This doesn't mean they can't have a dog; in fact, some dog breeds do not shed hair. This doesn't mean these are hypoallergenic breeds, but the risk of an allergic reaction is much lower. Some...

The raccoon is a wild animal of the Procynidae family native to North America. This omnivorous mammal is quite small - slightly larger than a domestic cat - with sharp claws and a thick ringed tail, and it's known as a scavenger or pest in some areas. Raccoons are quite adorable, and many people consider...

The evolution of dogs has been shaped by their contact with humanity. We humans have determinedwhat breeds should be crossed, and what individuals were chosen for further breeding in order to suit our needs or aesthetic tastes. Whether or not you are in favor of selective breeding to achieve new breeds and...

The stoat is of the mustelid family, larger than the least weasel and considered particularly aggressive. Stoats, however, weigh less than 260 grams (9 oz), which gives them impressive and dizzying agility and speed to add to their ferocity. In fact, stoats are capable of taking on and defeating prey twenty...

In our opinion, keeping a marmoset as a pet is not a very sensible idea. While marmosets really are adorable animals, in most cases they have been furtively and illegally hunted. This has caused some of the 22 marmoset species to become threatened; in fact, simply possessing a marmoset is punishable by...

Aquariums and fish tanks tend to get dirty very easily. Too much food, direct sun or having too many plants or algae can make the water murky. It is a good idea to use a pump or filter, but there are fish and other animals that clean your aquarium naturally, feeding on carrion that resides in the sand...

There are many canine organizations and associations in the world that work on developing breed standards, but they also work towards an alliance of dog breeders with the aim to protect specific breeds from exploitation. Their work has influenced current breeds but also animal rights policies. There are...

The leopard cat is often confused with the Bengal cat because of their similar names and appearances. Both cats have reddish coats from gray to olive with spots or rosettes that remind us of those of leopards or ocelots. However, the leopard cat and the Bengal cat are not the same breed - they are not...

as it was not recognized until the year 1899. They also began as sheepdogs. As you can see, both breeds had similar functions - guarding and herding livestock - as well as origin dates and locations, Belgium and Germany. However, although the beginnings of the Belgian and German shepherds were similar,...

Are you thinking about adopting a tomcat? You'll probably be wondering what to call him. After all, cats need unique names that fit their particular look and temperament, and there are so many good options out there. Nowadays, many people choose to give their pets names from another culture or language, or they...

Despite what popular culture would have you believe, it is actually possible for dogs and cats to live in harmony even if they have completely different temperaments, lifestyles and behaviors. A peaceful relationship and cohabitation between your household pets is extremely important, as it will allow...

While it is true that all dogs are equally great and worth loving, it is also true that not all dogs look alike. Chihuahuas and Alaskan Malamutes belong to the same species, but they look completely different. Like all species, dogs have evolved particular traits to adapt to their habitat and climate. However,...

Many people have doubts before getting a dog, especially with there being so many breeds of dogs and cross breeds in the world. It will be crucial to focus a little bit on the temperament and requirements of certain dog breeds in order to work out if the dog is compatible with your lifestyle. In this case...

When we talk about ducks, we're actually referring to several species of birds that form part of the Anatidae family. This family also includes geese and swans, but it is correct to use the term "ducks" in a general sense, as most ducks have similar requirements and characteristics. The requirements of...

Are you thinking about adopting a dog? You must know by now that you're taking on a great responsibility, but also the chance of developing a deep bond that will last a lifetime. Properly trained and socialized, your dog will become the truest friend you could ever have. The first step to begin a dog's...